BirdAnalyst
Species · Wisconsin · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Wisconsin has surged: up 376% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+376%Since 1968TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
88Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
58YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Pileated Woodpecker Trends in WisconsinNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc increasecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Pileated Woodpecker has surged in Wisconsin: up 376% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Wisconsin

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Wisconsin is projected to rise about 28% by 2029 — from 1.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.8 (95% range 1.4–2.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+28%Change by 2029TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
1.8Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
1.4–2.295% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±10.5%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Wisconsin is projected to rise about 28% by 2029 — from 1.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.8 (95% range 1.4–2.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20251.71.32.1
20261.71.32.1
20271.81.42.2
20281.81.42.2
20291.81.42.2

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Wisconsin

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Wisconsin.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Conover1220241998
Washington I920241969
Land O' Lakes 2920242017
Cumberland620241969
Eagle River620241968
Wausaukee520231981
Weirgor Springs520242008
Iron River420241977
Grand View420241969
Union Twp420241977
Mellen420241998
Cavour420241998
Mcnaughton320241967
Popple River320241966
Esdaile320241966
Mather320231971
Pigeon Creek320242003
River Falls320241998
Gresham320241998
Bayfield220241967
Dresser220241968
Loraine220211966
Weyerhauser220231972
Exeland220231970
Holway219881967

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginia

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.